"Today Apple revolutionizes—" What exactly?

The Mac and the iPhone represent two of the most important, most fundamental revolutions in the history of personal computing. If not watches and televisions, what could possibly come next?

30 years ago Apple announced the Mac. Back in 1977 they'd helped spearhead the personal computer revolution with the Apple II, putting a command-line interface into homes and onto desks in a way that had never been possible before. In 1984 the Mac did the same for graphical interfaces, harnessing the power of the mouse, pointer, and windows to make computers even easier to use. In 2001 Apple expanded into music, unleashing the iPod + iTunes, and kicking off the mobile entertainment revolution. 2007 marked perhaps the most important announcement in Apple's history, when they took elements of their existing businesses, personal and mobile, and revolutionized the phone with the iPhone. 2010 saw Apple bridge the gap between iPhone and Mac, and once again made the computer even more personal, with the iPad. Any of those would have been the achievement of a lifetime. All of them, the achievement of Apple so far. But after over 30 years of making the computer even more personal and mobile, what on earth could follow? What else in our digital world, what of the magnitude of the computer or the phone, could Apple revolutionize next?

The computer was new. Apple had to tell people they needed it and that they needed the Mac. The phone wasn't new. People knew they needed it. Apple had to tell them they deserved better — they deserved an iPhone. The iPad was somewhere in between. Apple had to make the case that for most people, for most things, the iPad was and is better than a traditional computer or phone. Today, many would say they couldn't live — at least not happily and productively — without a computer or tablet. Almost everyone would say they couldn't live without a phone. What else in our lives is that important? What else is ripe for the kind of improvements Apple could bring?

Wearables in general, and watches in particular, have been heavily rumored for the last year or so. It's a direction the market is going, but not one that's yet had a compelling case made for it. Is it simply too early? Apple entered the phone market when Treo, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, and Nokia communicator had matured enough to make us both excited about their potential and miserable about their state of implementation. The smartwatch space is still in its very early stages. The medical angle is interesting, but would anyone ever need an Apple watch as much or more than they need a computer, tablet, or phone? Could it ever be as big a business for Apple?

Likewise televisions. Long rumored, we'll expect one when and if we see one. But is there any revolution Apple could bring to television that requires Apple actually make the set as well? The Apple TV model has thus far let Apple assault input 2 or 3 — after the TV interface and likely the cable/satellite box and maybe a game console as well. An actual display would give them input 0, but the core go-to-market conditions Steve Jobs explained years ago haven't changed, and any interception Apple might want to make could arguably be served by a beefier Apple TV rather than a panel. Sure, a 4K Thunderbolt Display could kill two very high end birds with one product stone, but that's not a mainstream solution. Also, like the watch, it's likely also not a big business.

I'd love to see iOS in the Car become iOS on the Camera, iOS in the Home, and more!

Could Apple revolutionize the car? They'll not start construction of an Apple roadster any time soon, but they are doing iOS in the Car. A bi-directional AirPlay-like system, it will let Apple project their interface onto other manufacturers' screens. Personally, I'd love to see iOS in the Car become iOS on the Camera, iOS in the Home, and more! Apple as it exists today would never scatter focus by becoming a general purpose consumer electronics company like Samsung, Hitachi, LG, General Electric, etc. and they'd never license out their software like Google or Microsoft. Projecting their experience and services, however, could be a great way to keep control without losing focus. Still, how big a business?

Could Siri and what's happening with sensors be part of it? An internet of Apple things that see to our needs, perhaps even predicting them well before they become needful? That's not a single product, mind you, but a web of them, and would its value ever be direct, or always supplemental?

That's the challenge facing not only Apple, but every major technology company. The personalization of computing has no obvious, immediate, giant, next leaps to make. Unless and until a watch or wearable can replace my computer, tablet, and phone for most things, most of the time, unless and until an implant can hook me directly into the iCloud — and, frankly, since the surveillance revelations who still wants that? — it's really tough to see one product that will make as big a splash as the Mac or iPhone.

What's easier to see is an array of smaller products and services making a sizable, if more widely dispersed impact. Just like evolution, taken year after year, can equal or surpass any singular revolution, an array of smaller products and services that improve the overall value of ecosystem and experience can be just as important. Wearables factor in there. iOS projection factors in there. iBeacon factors in there. And together, they all become greater than the sum of their parts.

If Apple could make a leap in services as big as they did in software with the NeXT acquisition or iOS launch, I'd consider it every bit as revolutionary.

If Apple could make a leap in services as big as they did in software with the NeXT acquisition or iOS launch, perhaps it would be considered it every bit as revolutionary — though I'm not sure mainstream culture would agree. Absent that, I don't know when we'll see 1984 or 2007 again. I do know we'll see 1985-2006 and 2008-2013 consistently, relentlessly, until we do.

Typing this on my Retina MacBook Pro, watching notifications fly by on my iPhone 5s, I'm fine with that. Hell, I'm ecstatic. But I do admit, I desperately want to to see another moment like the Mac or the iPhone again. I want to see Tim Cook or Phil Schiller or Jony Ive pause during the keynote. I want to feel my pulse race, the hairs on the back of my neck stand up on end, the anticipation hang there for an infinite moment...

"Today Apple revolutionizes—"

What exactly? If you were controlling the product roadmap, if you were writing the Keynote script, how would you fill in the blank? What's big enough to you, important enough to you, broken enough to you that you just can't wait to see Apple make it their next big thing?

TV is the wrong side of the timeline. They will think forward. And they will kill TV.
But it wont be perfect at launch.
Still hoping for a apple tv with same form factor and a built in pico projector (kinda mini sony life space UX)

Somehow it seems almost offputting when they go on and on and on about one of their stores when they launch a device or new iteration of an OS X or iOS. It seems that the next big thing seems to headline with a wonderful new store opening in this City or that City somewhere and it kind of detracts a lot from the product they really are showcasing. Your headline picture of Tim Cook going on about the wonderful design of the store doesn't make me all excited about the next big thing and these days it makes me suspect that the 'big thing' is a little smaller or maybe tiny in comparison to the styling of their latest branch opening.

They really need something that people really honestly crave and they need to 'lock down' their leaks, it's just depressing when you know exactly what the product looks like, how it works etc months before launch.

Even Google has done a little better at keeping secrets about their Nexus devices than Apple has in the past few months. Maybe their suppliers and contractors are just not as scared of Tim Cokas they were of Steve Jobs. Let's face it, when Steve Jobs said "We will go Thermonuclear on them" every stopped and got ready to hide under the tables and wait for the blinding light and blast to come through.

If Apple could provide me maps on my iPhone that actually work -- that would be a start for a new, user-experience-oriented Apple. If Google and Nokia can do it, why not Apple? And if they can't -- well, say good bye to what ever the new personal computing future might be. Apple used to get the basic stuff right and fail on the less relevant topics. Now they get the corner things OK (like a new, unneeded processor), but the basics have been deteriorating for quite some time. Jobs is gone and it shows.

The TV needs a major overhaul, simplified. With cable companies & money being the biggest obstacles, other simplified platforms such as Apple's, is continuing to be a major hurdle. iOS 7 is very disappointing to many, including myself. iOS needs a lot of work to be revolutionary this year. I'm also anticipating the new Apple TV & iPhone 6.

I'd like to see more done with user-produced video. Look what happened with podcasting. It put a focus on independent radio/audio. The same could happen with video. We have the tools and equipment. iPhones, iMovie and garge band. Add some metadata and we got an indie production. Television has had the same delivery model for almost a century. The only way that will change is to give people great stuff on their own time. TV networks would be way more flexible then.

Suddenly the glass object lights up with a spectacular collage of floating rectangles. Some show live TV. Others display sliding ticker symbols. Still others appear to be apps.

It speaks.

iTV: "Hi Tim. The Yankees are currently playing the Dodgers, you have two unwatched episodes of The Big Bang Theory, and you have a FaceTime appointment with Phil in 5 minutes

COOK: Play the baseball game.

iTV: "Sure Tim"

The floating rectangle image of the baseball game zooms in and fills the glass object. Cook faces his audience. Smiles.

From the audience - A gasp here, a woot there.

COOK: "Ladies and gentlemen, iTV."

Applause.

He takes a breath, starts his trademark slow pace, and begins to educate his audience on how Apple will revolutionize not only TV, but the home stereo, home gaming, and the home computer - with one deceptively simple piece of hanging glass...

Imagine a 50 or even 60 inch slate. Glass on one side. Aluminum on the other. 2 or 3 centimeters thick. Weighs in at 10 pounds max. Encased in a retail box barely any bigger, and with a handle. A person can walk out the store with that. Go home, and hang it on the wall. Only issue is fitting it in the car. And apple could have a delivery service of that. Possibly free of charge.

Over-the-air wireless charging. Imagine simply plugging in a wireless charger nearby. The iTV just continually charges, wirelessly. No cord. Also the TV is always on, like an iPad. So it can sense when you're in the room and wakeup to voice commands.

I would rather imagine a 60" iPad design. Thin, battery powered, charge that lasts several days at that size. And if they develop the set top box to incorporate blu-ray and potentially surround sound, you've got a new Apple entertainment system.

Some obvious obstacles but I like the way you are thinking. I would like to see Apple just bring it all together Minority Report style. Like Rene said it's all in the implementation. I want a great iOS in my car, my life, my day a simple voice command away. I want to leave the car and keep everything seemlessly on my phone. At home I want to put down my iPhone on the desk it's third day without a charge with 2 or more days to go and again seamlessly interact with Siri as I do work as I dictate voice commands to it while I cook via my iOS home system. Video , audio minimalist devices in each room. Like someone one said first work is to get some existing things working perfectly maps, Siri etc. But I'm looking forward to Minority Report world technologically minus weird looking kids in 'soup' predicting if I'm going to steal an M&M. A window pane in my home or apartment that uses an app with hi-def videos of sunny Barbados while it 2° F outside is very high on my 'I want' list. 'Today Apple introduces iLife...pause... But you have never seen it like this.'

Apple's iCloud services are wide open for major improvement. Most every other major player in the space has, at a minimum, some advantages over iCloud. But it's not just iCloud either. It's all, ALL, of the apps Apple makes cloud based that need to better work within a greater and better framework of a cloud service.
Box is better. Dropbox is better. And SkyDrive, Google Drive, Sugarsync, and on and on the lost goes.
I'm not sure there's actually anything here to revolutionize, but Apple could certainly make major steps forward in this space.

1. App Store - Replace 5 static screenshots with video demonstrating the app in full use. Why give YouTube the traffic? YouTube app reviews are usually very poor quality. This would solve the crap shoot of buying an app with proper certainty that it is what you want. This should be obvious and its lack is shocking.

2. App Store - The existing 26 categories are completely inadequate for a million apps. Keyword search is broken on two counts. If I search "calculator" I can't find the app "Soulver" because the word "calculator" is not in the name. If I'm looking for maps I can't drill down to only U.S. maps. I can't filter out what I know I don't want. This should be done with OPML outline format of fine grained categories. All that's needed is a librarian function added to the app store staff. Simple. Obvious.

3. Wearables - Google Glass is a 640 x 360 low res display for one eye. This favors sports use perhaps but is not suitable for general purpose computing. The display industry is fixated on bigger when they should be focused on the trend to make the pixels disappear. I want twin 4K displays providing 3D. This should not be transparent because ambient light will wash out the display. This is solved by feeding the image from twin cameras to the displays and then superimposing the digital on those images. The glasses are narrow and worn such that the top of the screens are in the lower third of the field of view. This is modeled after what you see while driving. Nobody complains that their lower visual field is blocked by the the car's dashboard. This prompts the name "iDash". The name is potentially viral as the above concept is inherent in the name. Power is supplied by a battery belt with a CPU box clipped to it, much smaller than the iPhone as it has no internal battery and no display. A separate WiFi hotspot box is also clipped to the belt tailored to one's cell provider.

On A Wrist Device: If Apple looks at wearables, the wrist is prime real estate. There really isn't anywhere else on our body we can put technology right now where it can be both stylish and useful. I would also be careful about putting Apple in a box. A wrist device doesn't have to be as grand or as revolutionary as the iPhone. They will release it if they believe they can make a great product. That's the bottom line. I can see a wrist device serving as a sophisticated health sensor array and as a tool to remove some minor friction with using your iPhone (such as not having to take it out of your pocket to look at glance-able information like notifications, weather, and the time). Also, notice I studiously avoided calling it a watch. That's another box. Even if they end up calling it the iWatch, remember the iPhone is much more than a phone.

On Television: I think Apple will make a television within a few years. This doesn't mean the Apple TV goes away. Both can coexist. Again, the bottom line is a great experience. With an Apple television the folks at Cupertino can control the experience from the moment you hit power. That's, well, a powerful thing. Yeah, they aren't going to sell tens of millions and consumers won't upgrade every year. But so what? How often do people upgrade their Macs? How often do you upgrade your monitor? A television, like the thunderbolt display, is about providing an end-to-end Apple solution. They don't want some third-party element sullying the whole experience.

There really aren't many new hardware categories Apple can enter. The wrist will be it for wearables for a while and there's the television but that's about it. They aren't making kitchen appliances or furniture. They are certainly not building a car. Maybe something in robotics but not this decade, maybe not even the next.

I think Apple will focus on the service and software ecosystem. Yes, they will continue to improve their hardware and they will extend their lineups with bigger screens, smaller screens, different colours, and what have you. But the most exciting things will happen in the ecosystem.

I'm looking forward to a richer media ecosystem, more sophisticated maps, a mobile payments solution, a fleshed out gaming strategy, more frequent updates to the pro apps, more apps making it to iCloud (including iTunes!), smarter Siri, new interfaces and user experiences, more seamless integration between devices, etc. There's a lot of work to do here. I'm excited!

I want Apple to get into the Video Game market. Think about it, they already have soooo many developers working with them. Apple could totally give Sony + Microsoft a run for their money with a new iConsole that can run iOS apps/games and guess what, we already own the controller. And if Nintendo starts developing apps that'd be the end of it all. A gamer's wish..

But we don't already own the controller. Can you imagine how horrible an experience it would be to try and use a button-less touch screen device while looking up at a big TV? You would lose track of where the virtual buttons are very quickly.

Apple would need a real controller, with buttons and sticks, if they were to tackle living room gaming seriously.

They would also need a much, much powerful box. The GPU in the iPad Air (currently Apple's most powerful) is 50gpflop. The GPU in the now ancient PS3 is 300gflop. In the PS4, you get 1800gflop.

Honestly I would say TV but not just the TV as it is today. TV as the central location with channels that can be subscribed to individually or apps purchased. A central spot that has a wireless link to my iOS and Stereo devices that allows me to pump music easily to any speaker in my house while laying in bed with my iPhone. A TV that fixes all the problems right now of TVs, cable boxes, PVRs and media. Imagine a TV that is location aware and gives me ads that are local to me instead of ads for stores that are nowhere near me. A TV with access to my iTunes library enabling me to watch bought, ripped or rented movies, TV shows, etc. The Apple TV could be made to do some of this but it still is another input.

My hope is that Apple will revolutionize something far, far bigger and more important than watches, TV's or cars: Healthcare. Human health.

Specifically, optimizing/biohacking health via biometric sensors and optimizing healthcare via transmitting the measurements to your healthcare provider. I think that's what an Apple watch will be all about, in the big picture, in the long run.

I agree. I think tv and wearables is more the media's imaginings because they can't think of anything else. Although I'd like to see an Apple TV done a whole lot better. The content holders and current distributors aren't going to swing revenues Apple's way.

Watches are a niche factor. That's a true hobby if Apple ever decides to go there.

TV is in transition and Apple must launch what will be, not was or is. I think they will scrap Apple TV or turn it into a dongle then just use streaming commanded from other devices.

They are beginning to have too many pies with not enough fingers and some things are slipping. They need to trim and, I think, the AppleTV UI will go in favour of something invisible and easy to manage.

Maybe Tim does not wish Apple to innovate and wants to go into iteration mode so that the UE within Apple device universe is as smooth as the production system is economic.

Hardware innovation seems to be the actors and actresses whereas the UE seems to be the script, direction and editing. Apple already has great actors but needs to work on new scripts.

I marvel at this classic Apple video from 1987 called " Apples Future Vision 1987". Everyone should watch this on YouTube. Maybe we can see Apple's direction.

My biggest beef with Apple TV is most of the channels I would like to watch cost $10.00 a month each. I would also like to see a design where I can be flipping through my regular channels and on channel 4A, for example, is the Apple TV. I hate having to change source!

I agree, Apple really needs to start delivering on services. Thirty years of the Mac have proven amazing. As far as services go, Apple needs to improve, big time. It's not in their DNA like hardware and OSes are. I see that as long term though, but the sooner the better. In the short term, they really need to figure out how to deliver their products when they debut in a more consistent manner. Every time a new iPhone, iPad or now MacPro debuts, they are impossible to get. They "sell out" and you can't get the product for like a month or two afterwards. That shouldn't happen. I've been wanting a MacPro since they showed it at WWDC. It's now "out" and won't ship until March!!! The heck? ;)

The new iPod/iWatch model (shuffle-liked size). In addition to the the same functions the old models are for, it is now compatible with iTunes Radio. It's powered by Siri and linked to your data plan connection (can be activated as a hotspot). You can ask questions or feed it commands for your Apple devices - Apple TV, Mac, iPhone, iPad.

TV is the obvious one. It's the one big area which is still dominated by terrible technology. I became a "cable cutter" a few years ago and switched to watching streaming content only on my Xbox 360. It's a slow, clunky system, but I could get all the content I wanted for far less than paying for cable TV.

Now I use a PS4 instead, which is much quicker but lacks a proper remote control and is still pretty barren on the app front. Sony will add more eventually, but they're still following the same walled garden approach which feels horribly old fashioned now. It's the same model (although less restrictive) than Apple use for the ATV.

The way I see it, a new ATV with more power, more storage, and crucially, an open app store and universal search (as Microsoft have on the Xbox), with Siri, could really be a breakthrough product. It could also do wonders for games, but for that to happen, Apple would need a standardised controller (with buttons!) and mandatory iCloud save game syncing so you could pick up your game from the ATV on your iPad or iPhone.

For gaming in the living room to really compete, this new ATV would certainly need a LOT more power, and it would also need some killer exclusive gaming content. There is an acquisition so obvious here that it barely needs mentioning, but I will anyway - Apple should buy Nintendo.

I would proffer we've already seen "the next big thing," but that it's come along so incrementally we didn't even notice: The new Mac Pro.
What's so revolutionary about that? Well, one thing; or should I say one MOVING thing -- the system fan. Other than that, the entire computer is solid state. Sure, sure, sure, we've had the MacBook Air, and the Retina MacBook Pros, but none of them has qualified as a "supercomputer" in terms of power and performance like the Pro has.
The Mac Pro is also the first computer to support 4K resolution, with a monitor already available for it made by Sharp (I believe), making it ideal for folks like Pixar, ILM, Dreamworks, Disney, Evans & Sutherland, and many, many more.
I'll admit, I don't know all that much about Bitcoin mining, but with the processor and graphics power the Pro has, I wonder if it'd be any good for that, too?
"The next big thing" doesn't always have to be flashy, or come with fanfare and a lot of hoopla. Sometimes, it can sneak up behind you and just say "hi" when you least expect it.

Cars make sense near term. While one could argue are a number of applications well suited for use in cars - navigation, music, Siri voice control and many dashboards are already designed with screens for nav, radio, etc.; I don't think that is where Apple can revolutionize car applications.
The iPhone provides car manufactures with a two way entry point into vehicles post sale. Diagnostic data, maintenance recommendations, anti - theft features all can be added via that interface with the vehicle. the iPone (or some derivative) becomes the portal for communications while driving. Once the vehicle senses you are in it, calls, etc are routed through it so you need not even take your phone out to use it. It could also run entertainment systems streaming video to passengers. Finally, it would much easier to upgrade the software as features are added; simply update an app.
Owners could limit use or vehicle functionality based on which iPhone is paired as the driver. Speed limiters, location warnings, text blocking all become easier to do.
Why would manufacturers go for this? First, it would shift development cost from them to Apple for the technology. Second, it has the potential to become an ongoing revenue stream, through a subscription based data connection and services (OnStar) as wells the sale of apps. Car companies could sell brand apps via the app store or even have their own section of the app store for their vehicles. Maintenance reminders could be sent to owners to pull them into dealership service bays; as well as providing mechanics with history logs for troubleshooting.
Of course, there are some real privacy issues here as well.

I think TV is also a near term move. Not so much as set as content delivery; with an eye to replacing cable. A set top box becomes the gateway for content providers separate from cable. You could subscribe to HBO or other premium services on a monthly, yearly, or per show basis. Sports would be a natural for such a move. Broadcast TV could still offer free, with commercials, content; to the point where they could tailor some commercials to very specific viewing groups. You wouldn't need a DVR since you could get anything anytime and on multiple machines. they could even let you download time limited content for use away from a broadband connection. The real challenge here is the cable companies who also own the pipe for pole to deliver the content. They will fight tooth and nail to protect their revenue streams; ultimately Apple may need to fond a way to share revenue with them in exchange for bandwidth. That would be the real revolution.

The availability of large amounts of affordable bandwidth is key to Apple's ability to innovate and continue revolutionizing how we use technology. Maybe the real revolution will be Apple building or buying a 5G communications network...

Nothing more in my cristal ball than making a giant step in the Apple ecosystem. When i go in an electronic shop and I see customers wandering around tablet not knowing want to buy, I will express that the most important element in the selection of a smartphone and/or tablet and/or personal computer is the ecosystem in which the manufacturer make available to you. Yo have a samsung phone and use Samsung ecosystem services ? Buy a samsung tablet. For me the greatest asset Apple has is its ecosystem. Yes it is captive blablabla... So what? I would leverage this to the maximum using iCloud and all the devices/OSs to work in a perfectly yes, controled environment in order to simplify as much as possible the use by consumers and making it absolutely reliable ans secure. All are fed up screwing with complexities of technology. In general, IT means "In Trouble" for those that doesn't care about the technical aspect of IT. All stars to get fed up by learning that Google looks into your emails to target what add they will show you ,etc. This would be the other challenge Apple would have in insuring that consumer data is protected against marketing and thiefs in such an ecosystem. So I would like my car, my TV, my computer, Tablet, smartphone and other gadgets/devices with corresponding software (embeded, productivity, fun, etc.) work seamlessly together. They are heading there but I would go to the extreme!

Has every tech company invented so much, that there is no "wow" anymore? Can Apple, or anyone else "wow" us? We hear rumors, and most likely they will come true, but will it be enough to draw you into buying, or not? I think so much is being thrown at us tech wise, we have become numb to it. I can remember when the "Walkman" was really something. I still have one that works. I just do not know if there is any "wow" left. We shall see.